Valve-rotating mechanism



J. KEL ER. VALVE ROTATING MECHANISM.

Patented May 25, 1920.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 31, I919.

JEREMIAH KELLER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

VALVE-ROTATING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 25, 1920.

. Application filed May 31, 1919. Serial No. 300,848.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JEREMIAH KELLnR, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Valve Rotating Mechanism, of which the following is a description, reference being had to theaccompanying drawing, which forms a part. of my specification.

My invention relates to valves more espe-b cially adapted for use in internal combustion engines and particularly to what are known as the puppet type, which are normally seated under spring pressure and are forced upward from their seats by suitable mechanism, as for example the cam-shaft of an internal combustion motor.

The object of my invention is to provide means whereby the flat or disk valve will be given intermittent, but positive rotary movement during the successive unseating operations thereof, so that any given point on the valve will be periodically advanced, circumferentially, relative to the previous point of contact with the valve-seat. Valves of this type usually have their peripheries beveled to seat evenly on a similarly beveled seat; but owing to wear in operation and to the high temperatures encountered in internal combustion motors, it has been found (16811.

ableto induce the valve to rotate during the successive reciprocal movements or opera tions, in order that a gas-tight relation between the valve and its seat may constantly be efiected and wear at any one, point on the valve and its seat thereby greatly diminished.

In order to obtain the desired advantages, it is essential to provide means whereby positive rotation of the valve will be accomplished during the high speed operation of such mechanisms, namely during the periodical or successive reciprocal movements of the "valve.

The above enumerated objects of my in-,

vention, as well as other objects and advantages will be more readilycomprehended from the following detailed description of the drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of my improved construction and portions of the walls and passages of an internal combustion engine, with the valve shown in closed or seated position.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view, in side elevation and partial section, of the means whereby rotary movement is imparted to the stemof the valve; the means being shown in normal or inoperative position as illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 2, showing the elements in operative or valve unseated position.

Fig. 4c is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line 1- 1 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows. K

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view, taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

In the particular exemplification of the invention, a well known type of puppet valve 10 is disclosed, provided with a beveled )eriphery and secured to a stem 11 which is slidably mounted in the apertured pillar or upstanding portion 12 formed integral with the interior wall or partition of an internal combustion motor; the valve being adapted to normally seat on the beveled seat 13 so as to control the flow of gases in the gasqiassage or chamber 14: of the motor. The valve 10 is adapted to be forced upward by any suitable means (not shown), as for example the cam on a cam shaft which is adapted to press upward against the lower end of the stem 11.

Beneath the partition or wall15 of the motor and disposed concentrically about the valve-stemll, I provide a downwardly projecting member 16 provided with a cone surface 17 at the lower end; while the upper end is shown provided with a flange 18 adapted to receive the upper end of the coil spring 19 whereby the valve is returned to and held on its seat. The lower end of the spring 19 seats on the outwardly disposed flange of a collar or cup member 20. Disposed about the stem 11 and within member 20 is a clutch member 21 which is preferably socketed at 22 in its lower surface, to receive a pin 23 which is disposed through the valvestem 11, thereby inducing movement of themember 21 and the stem 11 in unison.

The clutch member 21 is provided with clutching surfaces formed by means of the abrupt and gradually slopin surfaces, indicated more clearly at 2 1, in *ig. 4, which are adapted to receive balls 25 disposed intermediate of the surfaces of clutch member 21 and the inner surface of the cup member 20.

The assembled relation between the cup member 20 and the clutch member 21 is maintained by means of the flange 26 on the clutch member and a split ring 27 which exfarms or tiltable members 31. The contacting or lower surface of annular member or ring 29 and the peripheral surfaces of the heads 30 are tapered or beveled toward the stem or inner sides of the rocker-arms or members so as to permit proper rotary movements of said elements.

Disposed about the valve-stem11, and in contact with the lower surface of the heads of rocker-arms 31,is a cone-shaped member or ring 32 which is provided with an upwardly beveled or inclining surface to conform with the beveled peripheries of the heads 30 of rocker-arms 31. The heads 30 of the rocker-arms are, provided with cut away portions "or flat surfaces, as indicated at 33 in Fig. 3, formed in a somewhat tangential manner and on what may be termed the lower sides, so that when the flat or cutaway surface of the heads 30 of the respective rocker arms are flush with the bearing surface of the cone member 32, the upstanding arms or portions of the rocker arms will be at a slight inclination, as shown in the normal'position indicated in Fig. 2; and the upper ends of the rocker-arms are preferably rounded, as shown, in order to provide free sliding relation with the cone surface 17 of member 16. The member 16, as previously stated, is stationarily held during the operation of the mechanism; being maintained against movement by the increasing pressure of the spring as the valve is lifted.

In order to compensate for the sliding or vertical play necessary between the elements within cup member 20, I prefer to provide the bowed spring member or plate 34; the bowed or smooth surface whereof is in bearing contact with the top surface of clutch member 21, while the outer periphery, which may be notched or cut-away so as to provide projections, if desired, is in bearing contact with the cone-member 32. It is evident that with'this yielding element 34, disposed between member 32 and clutch member 31, the various elements within cup-member 20' will be held under pressure and maintained in proper relation during the normal position of the mechanism and during the withdrawal of the valve-stem 11 for repair or-.replacement, or before the parts have been entirely assembled; the function of said element 34 being to compensate for the vertical play necessary between the rings; at the same time assisting in the return of the rocker members to upright or normal position.

WVith the rocker-arms disposed as previously described, it is evident that when the valve-stem, carrying the cup-member 20 and inclosedelements is forced upwardly by the push-member or cam of a cam-shaft, the spring 19 will be compressed and cup-Incinber 20 firmly held, by means of the con1- pressed sprin against any possible rotary movement. 6n the other hand, the conesurface 17 of stationary member 16 will tilt or rock the rocker-arms or members 31 downwardly into the position indicated in Fig. 3. As the ring 29 is held stationary by means of flange 28 on cup member 20, (the latter being under increased pressure by reason of'compressed spring 19) the lower flat surface 33 of the heads 30 of the rocker arms will he'caused to move into the position shown in Fig. 3, namely so as to bring the edge at the intersection of the flat surface with the rounded periphery into biting or gripping relation with the upper surface of the cone-member and therefore cause the cone-member 32 to rotate a predetermined distance and at a speed greater than that of the relative movement between ring member 29 and the upper rounded surface of the heads 30 of the rocker-arms 31'. The tilting of the rockerarms or members 31 with the cam or flattened peripheries will wedge the rings 29 and 32 farther apart, and as ring 29 is held by the flange on cup member 20, ring member 32 will be forced downwardly and thereby cause the bowed spring 34 to be compressed as shown in Fig. 3 and cause such intimate or frictional relation between conemember 32 and clutch member 21, by means of the intermediate spring member 34, that the three members will be forced to rotate together.

The rotation induced by the tilting of the rocker-arms 31 is in such direction, namely in counter-clockwise direction in Fig. 4, that the balls 25 will be in contact with the abrupt surface of the clutch member and therefore out of clutching relation with the inner surface of cup member 20. The rotation of the members 32 and 21, together with the intermediate spring 34:, will impart similar rotation to valve-stem 11 by means of the pin 23, disposed through the valve-stem and "seated in the groove or socket 22 formed in the bottom surface of the clutch member 21. -When the valve is loweredto its seat, return rotation of the valve-stem and its correlated parts will be prevented because any tendency to return to original position, induced by the erection of rocker-arms 31 and their frictional relation with rings 29 and to-wit the balls 25 moving along the gradually sloping surfaces 24 of member 21 and thus form binding or clutching relation between cup-member 20 and the clutch member 21. Any rotational tendency of the valvestem and clutch member 21, or, in other words, the necessary play or slippage between the elements, during the return stroke of the valve-stem, will take place on the bowed spring member 24, thereby relieving the heads 30 of the rocker-arms of undue frictional wear; while the rotation of the valve-stem during the upward stroke of the valve, will take place on the small frictional surface between the push finger or cam of the cam-shaft and the valve-stem, and wear of the mechanism thereby prevented.

It is apparent from the construction shown and described that positive rotation, to a predetermined degree, is imparted to the valve during each upward stroke ofthe reciprocation of the valve and the successive rotation of the valve maintained, thereby insuring a new seating of the valve upon the return stroke of each reciprocation.

Furthermore, it is apparent that the rotation of the clutch member 21 and therefore also of the valve-stem could be induced by reversing the clutch faces of member 21, so

' as to have them disposed in the opposite direction in Fig. 4, which would cause the valve to rotate upon its seating stroke and be locked against rotation during the unseating stroke; the elements and their operations being in every respect identical as previously described.

I have shown and described what I believe to be the best adaptation of my invention, but it may have expression in somewhat different mechanical form without, however, de artin from the spirit of the invention.

at l claim is Y 1. Mechanism of the class described, com-v prising, in combination with the stem of a spring-controlled puppet valve, means through which the stem of the valve reciprocates, means, disposed about the stem, on which the spring of the valve exerts downward pressure whereby to return the valve to its seat, means, located within the second means, arranged in operative relation with the valve-stem, and rocker means arranged within the second means and in operative relation with the third means, said rocker means being adapted to be affected by the first means during the upward stroke of said valve-stem, whereby the third means, together with the valve-stem, is given predetermined rotation.

2. Mechanism of the class described, comprising, in combination with the stem of a spring-controlled puppet valve, means through which the stem reciprocates, means operatively connected with the valve-stem,

at a point beneath said first means, means prising, in combination with the stem of a springcontrolled puppet valve, means through which the stem reciprocates, means disposed about the valve-stem beneath said first means and arranged in interlocking relation with the stem, means disposed about said second means, a plurality of rockerarms disposed about the valve-stem within said third means and provided with camacting surfaces, said rocker-arms being disposed upwardly and adapted to be rocked through engagement with the first means when the valve-stem reciprocates, whereby said second mentioned means and said valvestem will be rotated a predetermined de ree, and means whereby reverse rotation oi the valve-stem and said second means will be prevented.

4. Mechanism of the class described, comprising, in combination with the stem of a spring-controlled puppet valve, means through which the valve-stem reciprocates, a clutch member disposed about the valvestem beneath said means and arranged in interlocking relation with the valve-stem, means disposed about the clutch member and arranged to receive the downward pressure of the valve-spring and transmit the I whereby rotation of the clutch member and valve-stem to a predetermined degree may be efi'ected.

5. Mechanism of the class described, comprising, in combination with the stem of a spring-controlled puppet valve, a stationary cone member through which the valve-stemreciprocates, a cup member disposed about the stem beneath said cone member, the

exert downward pressure on the latter,

means disposed about the valve-stem Within the cup member and arranged in operative relation with the stem so as to move therewith, a plurality of tiltable members provided with ofi'set rounded heads, each having a gripping surface, means wherebythe tiltable members are normally maintained in substantially upright position,

the upper ends of said tiltable members being adapted to engage with said cone member during the upward stroke of the valve-stem and be tilted thereby and through said gripping surfaces induce rotation of said means and the valve-stem, and means intermediate of said first mentioned means and the cup member whereby reverse rotation of the means and thevalve-stem will be prevented.

6. Mechanism of the class described, comprising, in combination with the stem of a spring-controlled puppet valve, a coneshaped member through which the valvestem reciprocates, a cup member disposed about the valve-stem beneath said cone member with the spring of the valve disposed between the cone-shaped member and the cup member so as to exert downward pressure on the latter, a clutch member mounted within the cup member and in operative relation with the valve-stem so as to move therewith, a pair of annular members arranged within the cup member above said clutch member, one of said annular members having frictional relation With the clutch member, rocker members having rounded ofi'set heads each provided with an operative surface, the heads of said members being disposed between said annular members with the operative surfaces in contact with the annular member arranged in frictional relation with the clutch member, said rocker membersbeing adapted to be engaged by the cone-shaped member during the upward stroleKof reciprocation of the valve-stem, whereby the rocker members will be tilted and the operative surfaces on the heads caused to rotate the lower annular member and said clutch member with the valve-stem to a predetermined degree, and means intermediate of the clutch member and the'cup member whereby the reverse rotation of the valw'e-stem and clutch member will be prevented.

7. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with the stem of a springcontrolled puppet valve, of a cone-shaped member through which the valve-stem reoiprocates, a cup member disposed about the "alve-stem beneath said cone-shaped member, adapted to receive the downward pressure of the spring of the valve to be held thereby and to return the valve to its seat,

a clutch member mounted within the cup member, disposed about the valve-stem and in operative relation therewith so as to move with the valve stem, clutch forming elements loosely mounted intermediate of the clutch member and the inner wall of the cup member adapted to form clutching relation and hold the clutch member against movement in one direction, a pair of annular members arranged within the cup member about the valve-stem and above said clutch member, a plurality of tiltably mounted elements having offset rounded heads, each provided with an operative surface on the lower side thereof, and means whereby said annular members with the heads of the tiltably mounted elements are yieldingly maintained in operative relation, said tiltably mounted members being normally arranged in upright position and adapted to be engaged by the cone-shaped member during the upward stroke of the valve-stem so as to be tilted thereby, whereby the operative surfaces of the tiltably mounted elements will cause the lower annular member and the clutch member, together with the valvestem, to be rotated a predetermined degree.

8. A device of the class described, comprising, in combination with a spring-controlled puppet valve, means disposed about the valve-stem on which the spring exerts its pressure to seat the valve, means operatively connected with said valve-stem and free to rotate in one direction, tiltable elements operatively disposed between said first means and the second means so as to be held under the pressure of the first means exerted by the valve-spring, and means whereby the tiltable elements are tilted during the unseating strokeof the valve and the second means with the valve-stem given positive rotation to a predetermined extent.

9. A device of the class described, comprising, in combination with a spring-controlled puppet valve, means disposed about the valve-stem on which the spring exerts its pressure to seat the valve, means operatively connected with said valve-stem and free to rotate therewith, tiltable elements operatively disposed between said first means and the second means so as to be held under the pressure of the first means exerted through the valve-spring and adapted to be returned to normal position thereby, means whereby the tiltable elements are actuated during the reciprocation of the valve and the second means with the valve-stem given positive rotation to a predetermined extent, and means whereby rotation of said second means and valve-stem in one direction is prevented.

JEREMIAH KELLER. \Vitnesses:

G. HEIDMAN, F. A. FLORELL. 

